Visalia Unified parents voice safety concerns, well investigation continues

Looking for more information about what happened during this week’s school board meeting?

Here’s a recap of what you may have missed:

Visalia Unified School District board members first listened to a report from College of the Sequoias President Brent Calvin surrounding the district’s student enrollment to the school.

The number of Visalia Unified students enrolled at College of the Sequoias increased from 2,965 during the 2021 fall semester to 3,233 the following year, according to data provided by the college.

“We did dip a little bit like every other community college in the state,” Calvin said, “but made a strong comeback in fall 2022. Almost to pre-pandemic levels.”

Increases were seen in all enrollment groups from Visalia Unified, including first-time students, returning students, first-time transfer students, and K-12 students – except continuing students.

Math/science and associate degrees for transfer business administration degrees were the top two declared majors among students in fall 2022.

It's worth noting the number of registered nursing declarations dropped from 306 students in fall 2021 to 155, or nearly 50%, in fall 2022. The number of math/science declarations increased over the same period from 146 students to 285.

The percentage of first-time students placed into transfer-level English increased from 56% in fall 2018 to 80% in fall 2022; however, the college reported declining over the last three years.

Nearly 90% of students were placed in transfer-level English in the fall of 2020, while 85% were placed in transfer-level English in the fall of 2021. The percentage of first-time students placed into transfer-level math increased from 25% in fall 2018 to 100% in fall 2021 and 2022.

State testing changed on January 1, 2018, due to AB 705, which has allowed COS to place students into transfer-level math or English based on overall GPA, Calvin said.

Trustees then listened to Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Leadership Mark Thompson's presentation on Visalia Adult School, including recent changes the school has seen. The district expects the school’s modernization project to be wrapped up by fall 2023.

Board members also listened to a first read on two items surrounding the adoption of new instruction materials — high school AP English language and Spanish for Spanish speakers.

If the board approves the changes after a second reading, the AP English language instructional materials will cost around $138,300, while the Spanish for Spanish speakers instructional materials will cost about $191,1000.

Public Comment

Community members have an opportunity at each meeting to speak to board members about topics that aren't on the agenda. This week, as has happened throughout the school year, parents voiced their concerns regarding student safety.

The district has made improvements and additions to its security over the last year, like using Raptor Technologies' visitor management system and training its staff using ALICE training; however, parents say there is still a need for more.

One parent, who did not say her name, told trustees Ridgeview Middle School students were using racial slurs and making discriminatory comments toward other students and that any form of retaliation is followed by further harassment.

“I know of more than one hate crime investigation currently underway on this campus,” she said. “I can't stress enough that it is appalling that children are both the victims and the culprits of such behaviors at our schools.”

Visalia Unified parent Crystal Reynolds — who ran for a spot on the school board during the last election cycle — told trustees her daughter was attacked on campus last month.

“We have a serious problem with safety on our campuses,” Reynolds said. “You are going to have a parent who will take the law into their own hands... and that is what I fear most.

I think you need to consider how the victims of these crimes are handling it.”

And although Visalia Unified Teachers Association President Greg Price was at the podium to discuss VUTA's six initiatives, he also touched on teacher safety.

VUTA's board of directors recently determined anytime a student threatens a school or person with gun violence or threat of explosives. The student is suspended at a minimum every single time.

Price suggested a home visit be made by the Visalia Police Department each time a threat is made and that the student receives counseling and support.

“The safety of our students and staff should be our number one priority,” Price said. “Unfortunately, the world we live in has changed, and these threats are not always idle, and we expect each threat to be taken seriously.”

Consent Calendar

Visalia Unified school board members then voted to accept the agenda’s consent calendar, meaning no discussion on the calendar’s contents occurred. Trustee Megan Casebeer Soleno was the only member absent Tuesday night.

Only item No. 25 was pulled from the agenda by Todd Oto because he was absent from the last school board meeting. The item passed 5-0, with one member absent and Oto abstaining.

By accepting the calendar, school board members approved numerous field trips, including a Cottonwood Creek Elementary School mission trip to San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Future Farmers of America State Finals for both Mt. View and El Diamante high schools, and a Disneyland band performance for Ridgeview Middle School.

Board members approved an agreement with Follett School Solutions for a digital catalog and inventory of all Visalia Unified musical instruments, check-out forms, and materials. Follett School Solutions provided the district with similar digital services for its library service area, including textbooks.

The cost is around $90,500 from the Visual and Performing Arts Grant fund.

Trustees also approved new courses as well as course revisions. All high schools will have revised AP Chemistry, Match 3H, English 2H, American Literature, and intermediate culinary arts courses. All high schools will also have a new English Language Development course, while VCIS will offer a Digital Photography 2 course.

The board also approved an agreement ratification for the Sycamore Valley Well Investigation.

The district has been working with Pueblo Water Resource after finding high nitrate levels at the domestic well at Sycamore Valley Acadamy. The consultant gave the community a few options in September, including modifying the existing well, establishing a new one, and more.

Visalia Unified decided to modify the well; work began at the end of March and was completed over spring break. The district is waiting for lab results to determine if a new well will be needed.

The cost of the investigation is around $82,500.

The Visalia Unified school board meets again at 7 p.m. on April 25 in the boardroom at the District Office at 5000 W. Cypress Ave.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: VUSD parents voice safety concerns, well investigation continues